The BEST Guide for Visiting Big Bend National Park

Somewhere in the middle of nowhere in the desert landscape of West Texas, you’ll find Big Bend National Park, which expands over 800,000 acres. When you visit, you won’t even believe that this could be Texas! Think: desert landscapes, tall mountain ranges, rolling hills, canyons, and a beautiful river flowing through it.  This park has something for everyone, and it should be added to your list!

When to visit:

This shouldn’t come as a surprise to you, but Texas gets HOT in the summer months. West Texas, especially in the desert areas, is no exception. You can visit Big Bend at any time, but you’ll likely have a more enjoyable experience in the fall or spring, when temperatures are cooler. Winter temps can actually get pretty cold, and even bring snow! If you do go in summer, just plan to hit the trails early in the day before the heat of the day. The summer is also the rainy season, which can bring dangerous flash floods.

To find more information on Big Bend National Park, visit their website here. 

Where to stay:

There is one lodge located within the National Park, the Chisos Mountain Lodge. The lodge is located in the Chisos Basin at 5400 ft elevation, and is open year round. If you prefer tent or RV camping, there are campgrounds and backcountry camping (permit required) in the park. For reservations, visit their website here. 

You can also find several hotels, RV parks, cabins and cottages in nearby Study-Butte and Terlingua. Visit their website to find information about lodging and dining options as well as other things to do in the area, click here. 

A perfect campsite at Roadrunner Travelers RV Park in nearby Terlingua.

How long should I plan to stay?

We recommend at least 3 days to stay and explore the park. For a more enjoyable and slow-paced experience, plan at least a week!

Top 10 things to do in and around Big Bend National Park:

Santa Elena Canyon Trail

This trail is perfect for everyone, and even smaller children. Santa Elena Canyon Trail is only a 1.5 mile out and back trail that parallels the Rio Grande River. After your hike, stay and play along the river bank. Kids (and adults!) will love splashing and cooling off in the water. Be sure to pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful views.

River Tour on the Rio Grande

There are many river tour companies that offer float trips on the river. Big Bend River Tours offer half and full day trips, as well as multi day trips. Our half day trip started with driving out to Big Bend Ranch State Park where we put canoes in the water. (In the dry season they do canoe or kayak trips, instead of raft trips) The guides are very informative of the rich history of the area, and were helpful with navigating the river. The scenery is gorgeous and this trip is not to be missed! For reservations and more information, visit their website here. 

Grapevine Hills Trail (Balanced Rock)

Grapevine Hills Trail is a perfect family-friendly hike. It is a 2.2 mile out and back, flat trail that leads to the famous Balanced Rock formation. To get up to the Balanced Rock, there is a bit of an incline and rock climbing for ¼ mile. The views at the top are well worth the climb!

There is no shade on this trail so be sure to hike early in the day if it is hot weather, and bring plenty of water. Watch out for cacti and snakes!

Word of caution for this hike- to get to the trailhead, you’ll need a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle to travel down the 6.3 mile washboard/rocky unpaved road.

Boquillas Canyon Trail

The Boquillas Canyon Trail is a 1.2 mile out and back trail that offers gorgeous views of the Rio Grande. The trail is mostly flat with a few short climbs. There are locals selling tamales and trinkets, don’t be alarmed! The tamales are supposedly very good. The canyon can get VERY windy, and the sandblast can actually hurt, so be careful. You may see wild horses in the canyon if you’re lucky! Some people bring swimsuits to swim in the crystal blue river for a refreshing dip!

Boquillas Canyon is at the very east side of the park, but the scenic drive to get there is worth the trip!

Chisos Mountains

*This is one experience we personally didn’t get to do due to closure from wildfire.

Once you’re in Big Bend National Park, you can’t miss the impressive Chisos Mountains. The highest peak (Emory Peak) reaches to 7,835 feet above sea level. Chisos Basin offers some great, and challenging hiking options. Try the Lost Mine Trail, Window Trail, and the Chisos Basin Loop Trail. The road to the Chisos Mountains offers beautiful views as well!

For more information about the hikes listed above, we recommend using AllTrails, visit their website here. 

Stargaze in the park

Big Bend National Park was named one of the International Dark-Sky Parks in 2012. The park actually has the least amount of light pollution than any other park in the lower 48 states! So, stay up late or set your alarm to venture out into the park well past dark, to take in the beauty of the starlit sky. There are several night sky programs led by Rangers, if you want a more in-depth guide for star gazing.

Tip: Be sure to check the weather forecast so you know what night to plan for this experience. You’ll want a totally clear night for the best star gazing experience. We weren’t so lucky for our trip.

Panther Junction

Panther Junction offers a very informative exhibit of native desert plants, “Panther Path.”. It’s definitely worth a stop to learn more about the different plants you can find in Big Bend National Park. Panther Junction is the headquarters of the park, so it’s also a good idea to stop and get information or talk to a Ranger. Visit their website to learn about the plants, here.

Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive

This scenic drive traces the slopes along the Chisos Mountains. The mountain range is very impressive and beautiful! This popular drive stretches for 30 miles through Big Bend National Park. We recommend taking the drive near sunset!

Tip: Be sure to fill up on gas before entering Big Bend. It’s a large park with only one gas station!

Fossil Discovery Exhibit

The Dinosaur Fossil Exhibit is located 8 miles north of Panther Junction in Big Bend National Park, and highlights the prehistoric plants and animals that once lived here. Over 90 species of dinosaurs have been discovered in the area! The shaded exhibit has detailed illustrations, life sized fossil replicas, a short trail that leads to a beautiful panoramic view, plus a children’s play area.

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program is a fantastic way for kids (and parents!) to learn history and interesting information about the National Park. Since the park is pretty expansive, you’ll want to plan to complete the book over the course of a few days. Pick up the Jr. Ranger book at the visitor center and bring it back to the Ranger by the time the center closes in order to receive their badges. Finishing the tasks in the book, being sworn in as a Jr. Ranger, and receiving the badge is quite the accomplishment!

Check out Big Bend Ranch State Park

This state park is located just to the west of Big Bend National Park, and is worth a visit. If anything, be sure to take a scenic drive around the park and stop at some scenic overlooks along the way. For more information about all that Big Bend Ranch State Park has to offer, click here. 

Other Adventures:

These experiences were still closed when we visited in April of 2021 due to the pandemic, but would definitely be added to our list when they reopen:

Port of Entry Crossing to Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico

This experience requires a small fee ($5) and will take you across the border (the river) via row-boat to the town of Boquillas del Carmen. Here, you can stroll the streets, shop for handmade crafts, and try delicious authentic food. You must have your passport to do this!

For more information, check the website here. 

Hot Springs

A relaxing dip in a hot spring is the perfect way to end a long day of hiking the trails. You will need to take Hot Springs Road (a 2 mile gravel road) to the trailhead. The hot springs are just a short walk from the trailhead.

For more information about visiting the hot springs, visit the website here. 

Additionally, here our BEST Tips for visiting Big Bend National Park:

-In hot weather, be sure to hit the trails early in the day.

-Pack PLENTY of water and sun protection.

-Panther Junction Visitor Center offers a water refill station- perfect for filling up your bottles!

-Panther Junction Visitor Center also has free WIFI.

-Wear sunscreen, hats, and or long sleeves/pants to cover and protect skin from the sun.

-The desert is very dry – use lotion and lip protection to moisturize your skin.